The recent killings of Oscar Kamau King'ara and John Paul Oulu in the context of a general climate of impunity have prompted a joint statement by the representatives of Kenyan civil society. The statement issued today in Nairobi states "Kenya civil society in its various formations across the country has assessed the state of the nation in the wake of the brutal broad-day light gunning down of our members Oscar Kamau King’ara and John Paul Oulu (GPO) by people believed to be police officers on a mission to assassinate the two on Thursday March 5, 2009 on State house road near the university of Nairobi Halls of residence. We condemn the cynical and brutal assassination of our brothers and vow to take all the necessary steps to ensure their killers are brought to justice. We also condemn the barbaric murder of an innocent university student, Godwin Ogato Gisairo, the same night by a police officer".

The Statement Continues

"The assassinations of our two colleagues came merely six hours after the government spokesperson Dr. Alfred Mutua had announced that the government was planning “to deal with the officials of the Oscar Foundation” for allegedly funding the Mungiki sect. The Prime Minister has since contradicted Dr. Mutua. It therefore is not clear the basis upon which Dr. Mutua continues to be in office. Mr. Kiraithe, the Police spokesperson remains in office to continue fanning his propaganda machinery against members of the civil society, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and hapless Kenyans who have been victims of the unstated government policy of executing suspects, instead of taking them to court. Several victims of this propaganda have had to go into hiding or even flee the country after receiving death threats. Some are government officials of rank."

To read the full text of the Civil Society Communique please see the PDF attached below.